Can SA-built Beemers reign in Spain?
ADF Motorsport’s championship-winning BMW 335s will be back on track in the first weekend of September – taking on some of Europe’s fastest production tin-tops and sports coupes at the Circuit de Catalunya, Spain, in the fifth round of the Hankook International Endurance Series.
Team principal, Donovan van Heerden, confirmed that the outfit which has been so successful locally – most recently in lifting the 2014 Production Car crown – will contest the penultimate round of the fast-growing series and is keen to sign up a squad of suitably qualified drivers. The race at the F1-standard circuit just outside Barcelona is expected to attract close to 100 cars, from hot hatches to pukka GT racers, for the 24-hour duel.
“This FIA-endorsed series is becoming increasingly competitive while still retaining the unique flavour and atmosphere of endurance racing, where the emphasis is really on teamwork,” explains Van Heerden. “Up to five drivers are allowed per car, and we will be making two race-proven cars available to both local and international motorsport enthusiasts.
“We will supply a complete logistics, race-prep and management package and all the driver has to do is make sure he gets to the venue! Racing internationally, in a car which has got a winning chance, just became a whole lot easier.”
The pay-to-drive package costs approximately R130 000 (€10 000) and includes everything except the racer’s airfares and accommodation and, of course, an internationally-recognised competition licence.
The two F30 sedans campaigned with distinction last year by Johan Fourie and Gavin Cronje will be modified to suit the endurance format, including fitting them with long-range fuel tanks. The turbocharged six-cylinder engine will be optimised for the GT4 class in which the 3-series will run. Control tyres from the series sponsor and a control fuel level the playing field, and also help to keep costs and development in check. A squad of experienced South African technicians, headed up by talented race engineer Freddie Pretorius, will travel to Spain to take care of the minute-to-minute running of the cars.
“Our vision is to give our customers an exceptional overall experience, and allow them to focus entirely on the racing, without having to worry about preparation and all the other challenges that come with just getting to the starting line,” explains Van Heerden. “It is designed to appeal to experienced and affluent ‘gentlemen’ racers who still have plenty of petrol in their veins but don’t want their recreation to add stress to their personal or business life.”
All in all, 10 seats are available for the Spanish round, with a similar package on offer for the Dubai 24 Hour in mid-January, in which the opening salvos of the 2016 series will be fired. Zwartkops-based ADF expects to test a 335i in full endurance specification before the end of May, with a knowledgeable driver used to set up the car for running with a maximum fuel load and on Hankook slicks.